Medicare Lawyer Near Me, Oak Street Health under Federal Investigation
Medicare lawyer near me is a legal professional who specializes in dealing with Medicare issues and can provide advice and assistance to those who need it. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that is available to those who meet certain eligibility criteria.
It can be complicated and confusing, so having an experienced Medicare lawyer near me on your side can be invaluable. If you need help understanding your rights and responsibilities under the program, a Medicare lawyer near me can provide the necessary guidance. They can also help you with filing claims, appealing denied claims, and other related matters.
Oak Street Health under Federal Investigation Oak Street Health, a Chicago-based primary care provider, is under federal investigation for potential violations of the False Claims Act. The U.S. Department of Justice announced it is looking into whether Oak Street Health has submitted false or fraudulent claims for reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois and the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. The investigation is in its early stages, and it is unclear what specific allegations the government is examining.
Oak Street Health is a provider of primary care services, including preventive care, screenings, chronic care management, and health care coordination to Medicare and Medicaid patients in 11 states. The company has raised over $125 million in venture capital funding since its founding in 2015.
Oak Street Health has said in a statement that it is cooperating with the investigation, and that it is “confident that our practices are compliant with the law.” The company also said it will “vigorously defend against any allegation of wrongdoing.” The False Claims Act allows the government to seek damages and penalties against companies that submit false or fraudulent claims for federal funds. If Oak Street Health is found to have violated the False Claims Act, it could face significant financial penalties.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating Chicago-based Oak Street Health, a value-based primary care network for adults on Medicare, for possible violations of the False Claims Act according to the regulatory filing published on Nov.8.
The DOJ requested the healthcare facility to provide information related to the company’s free transportation for Medicare patients, as well as about its relationships with third-party marketing agents as the Federal Government is stepping up the crackdown on alleged fraud in the Medicare Advantage program.
How does Oak Street Health Operate?
The Oak Street inquiry is one of the many recent cases where the Federal Government is trying to establish whether the health provider violated the False Claims Act. The DOJ has been recording an increase in fraud and abuse as the Medicare Advantage plans have taken on a larger role in the Medicare program.
Oak Street Health operates as a community-based primary care provider that offers comprehensive primary care services, including preventative care, chronic disease management, and other medical services, to Medicare lawyer near me Advantage members.
Oak Street Health operates a network of neighborhood-based centers in which patients receive personalized care from a team of health care professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals. Oak Street Health also offers a wide range of community-based services, such as health education, transportation, nutrition services, and social support.
Since Oak Street has risk-based contracts with Medicare lawyer near me Advantage plans, its main revenue source comes from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) direct contracting program. In this way, the primary care company takes full responsibility for patients’ medical expenses while the Federal Agency provides the fixed per-patient monthly payment.
What Alleged Violations did Oak Street Health Commit?
According to the Oak Street Health representatives, the DOJ sent a civil investigative demand on Nov. 1 asking the company to provide information about their relationships with third-party marketers and transportation partners.
Oak Street Health allegedly violated several federal laws, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, False Claims Act, and Civil Monetary Penalties Law. The company is accused of engaging in a scheme to pay physicians and other healthcare providers kickbacks in exchange for referring Medicare beneficiaries to its facilities.
Additionally, it is alleged that Oak Street Health submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for services that were not medically necessary or provided, and that it made false statements to the government in order to receive higher reimbursement rates than it was entitled to. Finally, it is alleged that the company offered improper financial inducements to beneficiaries in violation of the Civil Monetary Penalties Law.
The civil investigative demand issued by the DOJ does not signify any form of legal action but is rather a request to provide documents or evidence that could be used by the Government to start an investigation into the potential False Claims violations. The actual investigation would determine whether there’s sufficient evidence to warrant filing an action.
Why is Whistleblowing Important for the Medicare System?
Government agencies encourage persons with non-public information regarding the Medicare and Medicaid system violations to help uncover fraud. At Khurana Law Firm, P.C., Medicare lawyer near me whistleblower lawyers, support the decision to share any relevant information and report abuse and fraud in the healthcare industry.
Whistleblowing is an important tool for ensuring that the Medicare system is operating correctly and efficiently. By allowing whistleblowers to come forward to report any potential fraud or abuse, it helps to protect patients, taxpayers, and the Medicare system from financial losses.
It also serves to hold those responsible for any wrongdoing accountable. Medicare lawyer near me Whistleblowing helps to safeguard the integrity of the Medicare system by promoting transparency and encouraging open communication between all parties involved.
Ultimately, it serves as a necessary safeguard to ensure that the Medicare lawyer near me is operating properly and in the best interest of the patients it serves. Whistleblowing is also important for the Medicare system because it helps to ensure that the system is compliant with all applicable regulations and laws.
Whistleblowers can come forward to report any suspected violations of the law, which can help to protect the Medicare lawyer near me from potential legal action. This is especially important when it comes to cases of fraud and abuse, as these can have devastating effects on the entire system.
Additionally, when Medicare lawyer near me whistleblowers come forward, it can lead to improved accountability and a better understanding of how the system operates. This, in turn, can help to ensure that all regulations are properly followed and that the system is running as efficiently and effectively as possible.
If you have become aware of a fraud or abuse scheme, you may be able to act Medicare lawyer near me as a whistleblower. The national whistleblower attorney Arvind Bob Khurana helps people to build a strong case that has helped whistleblowers receive a reward for aiding the government to fight fraud. Contact us today for a consultation. For a free, confidential evaluation call (888) 335-5107.